It really helps with this series, even more so than the no. 44 Scotland St. series, to have been to Edinburgh and to have spent a solid amount of time in Scotland, in general. Much of the humor is very specific to Edinburgh and Scotland. I think that without that familiarity the book might be amusing, but not bordering on hilarious. The characters are all very true to Edinburgh, the kindest, most comfortable, uptight city in the world. It’s like someone squished San Francisco, San Diego and Mayberry into a single city to create Edinburgh. The plot meanders a bit, but I think it’s true to the main character of the book, Isabelle Dalhousie, who bumbles and over analyses herself charmingly from one awkward social interaction or moral quandary to the next, largely unaware of the fondness people around her feel for her and her earnest well meaning interference. The book is funny, sweet and charming, but I think very specific to Edinburgh.

Great original plot, with plenty of twists